Clear cover on Maisie's nucs

[jeff33]

Good morning all, I need to buy some clear flexible plastic to use as crown board on Maisie's nucs to avoid bees building brace comb under the roof. Checked on their website and the P&P will cost me more than the boards. Also had a quick browse online for something suitable but not sure what I need to get. Is it .25 acetate sheets or something different? Thanks

 

[Curly green finger's]

Good morning all, I need to buy some clear flexible plastic to use as crown board on Maisie's nucs to avoid bees building brace comb under the roof. Checked on their website and the P&P will cost me more than the boards. Also had a quick browse online for something suitable but not sure what I need to get. Is it .25 acetate sheets or something different? Thanks

What about using a layer of parchment paper on top of the frames works for me and would be cheaper Jeff.

 

[Curly green finger's]

Even maybe some inspection board cut down?

 

[jeff33]

What about using a layer of parchment paper on top of the frames works for me and would be cheaper Jeff.

They may chew it off especially if I put fondant over. If I recall correctly I am limited with thickness of material due to the roof slotting shape. I may have a look at thick polyethylene sheet.

 

[Murox]

They may chew it off especially if I put fondant over. If I recall correctly I am limited with thickness of material due to the roof slotting shape. I may have a look at thick polyethylene sheet.

I have used ordinary "building grade" polythene (left over piece from a slab for a shed, so would be at least 500gauge, happens to be blue but just about see through) it works well enough as a crown board and you can cut very precisely if you want to.

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

And hence my misgivings about these new roofs.

 

[Curly green finger's]

They may chew it off especially if I put fondant over. If I recall correctly I am limited with thickness of material due to the roof slotting shape. I may have a look at thick polyethylene sheet.

They may I've not had any problems with it it on my mini nucs, I agree with Murox some dpc poly would be thicker

 

[mbc]

Good morning all, I need to buy some clear flexible plastic to use as crown board on Maisie's nucs to avoid bees building brace comb under the roof. Checked on their website and the P&P will cost me more than the boards. Also had a quick browse online for something suitable but not sure what I need to get. Is it .25 acetate sheets or something different? Thanks

Why not leave the feeder on?
If I lose the crown board on my paynes nuc I use a sheet of poly, dpm is fine.

 

[jeff33]

And hence my misgivings about these new roofs.

I have left the feeders on until now to avoid that but it's a pain if you want to put fondant. I have heard a few putting fondant in one of the side compartment but I prefer to put mine just over the cluster as bees would not go up during a cold spell.

 

[mbc]

I have left the feeders on until now to avoid that but it's a pain if you want to put fondant. I have heard a few putting fondant in one of the side compartment but I prefer to put mine just over the cluster as bees would not go up during a cold spell.

Ah, a flap can be cut in polythene sheet to allow access to fondant.

 

[jeff33]

Ah, a flap can be cut in polythene sheet to allow access to fondant.

Yes that's why I wanna go for that Ceri, be easier for the bees and me

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

I used to use a piece of weed suppresant material just laid on the frames.

 

[jeff33]

I have actually found some plastic hessian sacks I had forgotten about, will do the trick perfectly, thanks all and happy new year.

 

[Curly green finger's]

What about lino in days of old I can remember it being used.

 

[pargyle]

I have left the feeders on until now to avoid that but it's a pain if you want to put fondant. I have heard a few putting fondant in one of the side compartment but I prefer to put mine just over the cluster as bees would not go up during a cold spell.

Depends how many you need but Paynes have the full size national ones in their winter sale .. shipping is £7.99 but if you need a few of them and you can get two Nucs out of each sheet ...

https://paynesbeefarm.co.uk/collect...ucts/spare-flexi-crownboard-for-poly-national

 

[0bee-1]

you could use an old plastic feed or fertiliser sack? i think Richard Noel uses something like this which has built in thermal quality for his nucs (as per youtube) although a bit pricey for a few nucs...
www.screwfix.com/p/ybs-thermawrap-general-purpose-insulation-10-x-1-05m/9691p
am thinking of giving it a go.

 

[Swarm]

Jeff,
I have those sacks, woven plastic? I'd be concerned they could get messy and 'bitty'. I use fairly heavy gauge plastic sheets with a little flap cut into them. Last lot were made from the plastic that covered a rug. Use the roof as a template to cut and this gives you a slight overlap that the roof holds firmly in place when fitted.
I hate the perspex covers.

 

[pargyle]

I hate the perspex covers.

Why ?

 

[Hedgerow Honey]

As with my dummy boards, I make simple flat crownboards from OSB, with a central hole, for the box's with deep roofs.
I've dozens of park box's and made the mistake only once, taking the feeders off.

 

[Newbeeneil]

I make covers from correx. It's obviously not transparent but it is stiff and doesn't lift the roof too much.